RBI Allows Rupee Lending To Bhutan, Nepal And Sri Lanka

15 Oct 2025 CW Team

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has permitted Indian banks and their overseas branches to lend in rupees to residents of Bhutan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in order to facilitate cross-border trade transactions.

The move, announced on 1 October as part of the monetary policy outcome, forms part of the RBI’s ongoing efforts to ease external trade and payments under amendments to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

In addition, the RBI has extended the repatriation period to three months for foreign currency accounts maintained with banks in India’s International Financial Services Centres (IFSCs). The change is expected to encourage more exporters to open and operate such accounts with IFSC banking units.

Earlier, in January 2025, the central bank had allowed exporters to open foreign currency accounts with banks outside India for realisation of export proceeds, with unutilised balances to be repatriated by the end of the month following the realisation date.

With these measures, the RBI aims to promote internationalisation of the rupee, positioning the domestic currency as a stronger medium for regional trade and settlement.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..